Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'increasingly open to staying at Barcelona'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 February 2021

Lionel Messi is reportedly open to staying at Barcelona if the club's new president can convince him that they will be challenging for trophies in the near future.

Barcelona stalwart Lionel Messi could reportedly consider a dramatic u-turn and elect to stay with the Catalan giants.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is free to negotiate with other clubs having entered the final six months of his deal, although his future remains unclear at present.

Messi had previously affirmed that he wanted to wait until the club elected a new president before making any firm decisions on his next career move, with the vote set to take place on March 7.

According to Marca, if Barcelona's next president can convince him that the club's long-term plans are in line with his ambitions, he will not rule out penning fresh terms with the Catalan giants, and money will not be an issue.

The report claims that Messi and his father are refusing to enter discussions with other clubs yet, and the player himself is said to be growing tired of the constant speculation surrounding a move to Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City.

Messi scored one and assisted another in Barcelona's 2-0 triumph over Sevilla on Saturday, and the in-form attacker now boasts 24 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season.